Improvement in steam, vapor, and medical bathing apparatus



J. de BEER. Steam-Vapor and Medical Bathing Apparatus.

`No.2o8,e66. y Patented oct. 8,1878.

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JOHANNES DE BEER, OF GREAT BARRINGTON, MASSACUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM, VAPOITy AND MEDICAL BATHING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 208,666, (lated October F, 1878; application tiled November 6, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, J oHANNEs DE BEER, of Great Barrington, in the county ot Berkshire, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Giving Applications of Steam i'or Medical Purposes, ot' which the following is a specification:

Heretofore apparatus of this kind, which have supporters to keep the cover in shape, have been lnade of such heavy and unwieldy parts, occupying so much space, that physicians could not carry the same conveniently, while in those not having supporting-wires the cloth clings to the body, thus preventing the free circulation of the vapor.

The object ot' my invention is to make an improved apparatus for giving applications of steam, either to the whole surface ot' the .body or to parts affected only, the whole being so arranged that it may be packed in a small and convenient compass.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the supporting-wires in the device for giving local applications and in the steam-distributer.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure l is a view of the bath-cover, showing the interior. Fig. 2 is a view of the top ot' the bath-cover. Fig. 3 shows the sectional wires. Fig. 4 is a view ot' a steam-generator, with steam distributer. Fig. 5 shows tube and rose-nozzle. Fig. 6 shows the whole packed. Fig. 7 shows the sphere-shaped boiler.

l make the cover of duck or other suitable material, of the shape shown in Fig. l. I do not confine myself, however, to this shape, though I deem it the best. Around the upper edge I make tucks, as shown in Fig. 2, for the insertion of the supporting-wires. In the top I make a place for the passage of the head, and of such shape as to fasten closely around the neck. I make the supportingwires in sections, having sockets to connect together. (See Fig. 3.) The sockets and ends ot'wires may have a thread cut to prevent slipping apart, though I do not deem this nec essary.

B, Fig. 4, is a sphere-shaped boiler. C is the boiler-support; D, the base; F, a lamp. The steam passes through tube linto the steamdistributer m.

When medicated vapor is required the prep. arations or herbs are placed on a perforated plate on the top ot' the steam-distributer. The steam passes through the perforation and herbs, and escapes touching the body. This distributer is placed under the feet when a bath is taken, or whenever it is necessary to relieve the upper part of the body from undue pressure of blood. When fomentations are required to other parts of the body, such as the perinteum or generative organs, the distributer is placed accordingly. When local applications are required to other parts the tube o, Fig. 5, is connected with the boiler by a tube of flexible material. On the tube o a thread is cut, so that nozzles of different shapes and sizes may be used. To raise an immediate blister this tube may also be used to advantage. As this tube is heated by the steam so that it cannot beheld in the hand, I attach to it the handle I.

To use, the sectional wires are inserted in the tucks; the patient sits, his head passing through the opening, his feet over the distributor or holding the tube o in his hand; the steanrgenerator either inside of the cover or on the outside, as may be found most convenient.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The sectional supporting-wires c, in combination with cover A, as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination of tube o, having handle P, with steam-generator and conductingpi pe, for the purposes stated.

3. The steam-cup m, arranged to hold herbs or medicated preparations, and having the perforated cover, in combination with generator and conducting pipe, substantially as specified.

JOHANNES DE BEER.

Witnesses JOHN E. BICKFORD, W. A. BUTTER. 

